Church administrator encourages BYU-Idaho students to learn from life's challenges

Larry Richman, director of Internet and Project Coordination for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke at the Brigham Young University-Idaho devotional on Tuesday, October 30, teaching students that learning from life's challenges brings unique blessings to the lives of God's children.

Richman shared with students the reality of challenges in life and how they are essential to God's plan of happiness. "Now we are here on earth, and there is a lot of joy, but there are also times of trial, misfortune, and grief... When mortality offers times of grief, stress, worry, confusion, and discouragement, we must remember that these experiences are part of the great plan of happiness and will ultimately lead to joy," he said.

Richman explained that men and women must experience and successfully respond to the trials of life to receive ‘a fullness of joy.'  "It is important to recognize that living a righteous life does not guarantee that bad things will never happen to us...But the truth is that bad things may happen to the best of people. The consequences of good and bad actions will come, but all of the consequences do not always come immediately, and they may not even come in this life," he said.

As trials and challenges present themselves, individuals have the opportunity to make the best of the situations and consequently strengthen their character, Richman said.  "It wasn't until well into my adulthood that I finally realized that life was about more than accumulating points for good deeds. What really matters is what those good actions do to build our character-what they help us to become...What will matter is whether our efforts have caused us to become something better," he said.

Richman taught that adversity will come to all and suggested ideas on how to face and respond to life's challenges; including developing a personal relationship with God. "You can face adversity more easily when you understand who you are, who your Father is, who your Savior is, and the relationship you have with them," he said.

Richman shared his testimony of the restored gospel, reminding students that because of it, he understands that trials are for his benefit. "I am grateful for the doctrines of the restored gospel. They give us an eternal perspective that provides hope and courage to bear all of life's trials. Trials can bless our lives if we learn from them and turn weakness into strength," he concluded.

Next week's devotional speaker will be John Thomas, associate dean of the College of Education and Human Development at BYU-Idaho. Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the Hinckley Chapel, Taylor Chapel and Kirkham Auditorium. Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.